Nathan Cleverly believes his world title clash with Badou Jack could prove the 'real fight' of a 'freak event' topped by Floyd Mayweather's showdown with Conor McGregor.

The Welshman will defend his WBA light-heavyweight title against Jack, 33, on the undercard of the money-spinning Las Vegas fight on August 26.

Unlike the headline fight, in which McGregor will make his professional boxing debut against the most dominant fighter of his generation, Cleverly-Jack is a meeting of two established world level fighters.

The Welshman will take on Badou Jack (right) on the undercard of the August 26 showdown

Mayweather is the heavy favourite to beat McGregor, who will be making his debut in the ring

Jack is stepping up to 175lbs for the clash, having vacated his world super-middleweight title following his draw with Britain's James DeGale in January. Cleverly, meanwhile, will be defending his title for the first time since wrestling it off Juergen Braehmer in October 2016.

And with many predicting a one-sided contest between Mayweather and McGregor, the Welshman is confident he and Jack can steal the show.

'It’s one of these once in a blue moon fantasy fights, Mayweather-McGregor. It’s captured the public’s imagination,' he said.

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'As chief support you have a real, real fight between me and Jack, two genuine world class operators putting it on the line. This could be the real fight of the night, I’m looking to capitalise on that,' he added

'It’s a bonus that this fight is part of this show, the way it has all worked out it is a tremendous opportunity.'

Jack, who fights under the banner of Mayweather promotions, rose to the top of the 168lb division by beating the likes of Britain's George Groves before his pulsating draw with DeGale.

Cleverly will be making his first defence of the world title he won by beating Juergen Braehmer

Jack, 33, rose to the top of the 168lb division with wins over the likes of George Groves

Cleverly revealed, however, that he has not turned to his compatriots for advice, claiming: 'Regardless of any advice or what anyone tells me, it’s down to me.'

And though his clash with with Jack will play second-fiddle to Mayweather-McGregor on the night, the 30-year-old admits that no other fight has provided him such a platform to break into the elite level of the sport.

'Every fight is big because each fight is important in its own right,' Cleverly said.

'(But) on an exposure level…this fight is exceptionally important and (in) helping me break through to elite level, it is the most important fight.'

Cleverly is confident that he will emerge victorious at the T-Mobile Arena and the Welshman is in little doubt, too, that fellow boxer Mayweather will beat McGregor in the night's headline fight.

And though he admits that the Irishman does not 'deserve' a shot at the biggest name in boxing, he paid tribute to the two fighters for putting themselves in a position to cash in on this 'one-off' event.

The Welshman also claimed that the Irish UFC star does not 'deserve' to fight Mayweather

'I don’t believe there is any way of an upset, I believe Mayweather is too good, he has perfected his art and craft meticulously, he’s too good to allow someone like McGregor to capitalise,' Cleverly said.

'But in regards to McGregor making the fight happen, well done to the guy and best of luck to them because to make it happen they have to put themselves in that position and to put themselves in that position takes a lot of hard work, years of work.

'Mayweather is rightfully so in that pinnacle position of boxing - he deserves it - and McGregor is in that pinnacle position of UFC fighting. Does he deserve the opportunity in boxing? No. But can you blame him for making it happen and combining with Mayweather to make it happen? No you can’t blame him.

'Fair play to the guys for the work they put in the gym and outside the gym for capturing the public’s imagination and making this a one-off freak event.'

Sky Sports Box Office will show Mayweather v McGregor exclusively live on 26 August. Book now at www.skysports.com/mayweathermcgregor